Chris Burton Author Image

Chris Burton

Senior News Writer

Bio: If you can’t make a living from playing the game, then make one writing about it. I did my best to tick the first of those boxes, but it was not to be. I have been working hard at the latter for the best part of two decades and joined the collection of international stars that make up team GOAL in 2016. I am now Senior Staff Writer, which means my days are spent covering everything that the sometimes weird and often wonderful world of football has to offer. I have always been a fan of mercurial talents and love an underdog story, which goes some way to explaining why - alongside my East Midlands roots - Nottingham Forest are (for better or worse) my team of choice.

My Football Story: From the local playing field with friends, all through school, representing teams at various levels and facing a number of future professionals, to endless hours spent at the City Ground, a university degree and professional employment that has taken me to iconic venues across the country, football has always been the thread that ties my past, present and future together. I wouldn’t have it any other way and consider myself fortunate that I have been able to pass my passion for the game down to my son, who now finds himself heading down a similar path.

Areas of Expertise:

  • Nottingham Forest Football Club - with there always a lot going on there
  • News sourcing and writing - identifying what real fans want to talk about
  • Interviews - don’t believe those that say you shouldn’t interact with your heroes
  • Analysis & insight - not just explaining what happened, but how and why

Favourite Footballing Memory: I was too young to have witnessed Nottingham Forest’s European glory years and not yet old enough to have seen them add a third star to that famous Garibaldi shirt, being at Wembley as a 23-year wait for Premier League football came to a close will always be a special experience. I don’t remember much about the game itself, given the nerve-shredding nature of play-off finals, but the celebrations afterwards made enough memories to last several lifetimes.

Articles by Chris Burton
  1. Mourinho aims jibe at City when quizzed on Chelsea's 74 charges

    Jose Mourinho aimed a playful jibe at Manchester City when being quizzed on the 74 charges that are now hanging over Chelsea. The Portuguese coach, who has taken in two spells as Blues boss, finds himself back at Stamford Bridge for a Champions League fixture. The ‘Special One’ has returned to his homeland as the new boss at Benfica, with the 62-year-old having lost none of his ability to entertain when speaking to the media.

  2. Amorim is safe - for now: Ratcliffe & Utd 'refusing to panic'

    Manchester United are reportedly "refusing to panic" when it comes to Ruben Amorim, with the Portuguese coach being assured that his position at Old Trafford is not under serious threat. Questions continue to be asked of whether the Red Devils should be making another change in the dugout, with consistency in the Premier League proving elusive despite huge investments of faith and funds in the current coaching regime.

  3. 'Intense final day' - Kane revels in Ryder Cup win for Europe

    Bayern Munich and England star Harry Kane, who is a huge golf fan, has been revelling in a dramatic Ryder Cup win for Team Europe. Heading into the final day of that event, it appeared as those the away side at Bethpage Black in New York would ease their way to the most convincing of victories. That is not how things played out, with Kane among those to see their nerves shredded before an iconic trophy was finally retained by Luke Donald's troops.

  4. Wrexham PL prediction as Brady mimics 'OGs' Rob & Ryan

    Wrexham have been told that they will reach the Premier League in "two or three years", with Tom Brady and Birmingham considered to be mimicking the model drawn up in North Wales by "OGs" Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. The Red Dragons have enjoyed a historic run of three successive promotions, and Ben Foster believes they will be playing top-flight football at some point in the near future.

  5. Kane 'taken for granted' after 13th-place finish at Ballon d’Or

    Harry Kane is "being taken for granted", according to former England international Joleon Lescott, with the Bayern Munich striker only managing a 13th-place finish at the 2025 Ballon d'Or. The Three Lions captain finished outside of the top 10, as Ousmane Dembele was named the best player on the planet, despite netting 41 goals last season and breaking his trophy duck with a Bundesliga title triumph.

  6. Revealed: When UEFA will make decision on potential Israel ban

    UEFA is reportedly set to make a decision next week on whether Israel will be suspended from European competition. There have been calls for the continental governing body to take action amid ongoing conflict in Gaza. A UN Commission of Inquiry has concluded that there are reasonable grounds to conclude that Israel is committing genocide in that region. Sporting institutions are now being urged to take action.

  7. Magical Messi makes more MLS history with Inter Miami

    Lionel Messi has made more MLS history with Inter Miami as records continue to tumble around the Argentine GOAT. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has become the first MLS player to post 35 goal contributions in back-to-back seasons after netting twice and registering one assist in the Herons’ comfortable 4-0 victory over New York City FC in the Big Apple.

  1. Messi & Miami nominated for new Ballon d'Or award

    Lionel Messi is in line for more Ballon d’Or recognition after seeing Inter Miami nominated for a new award. Paris Saint-Germain superstar Ousmane Dembele walked away with the Golden Ball in 2025, with the one-time Barcelona team-mate of Argentine icon Messi being named the best player on the planet. Several other prestigious prizes have been handed out.

  2. Maresca fears Liverpool 'impossible to catch' after £446m spend

    Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca fears Liverpool may be “impossible to catch” after seeing the Reds invest £446 million ($603m) during the summer transfer window of 2025. Arne Slot’s side were already reigning Premier League champions and a faultless start has been made to the new season as domestic rivals worry about how to stage their own title challenges.

  3. ‘Quit on Man Utd' - Scholes brands Rashford a 'disgrace'

    Paul Scholes claims that Marcus Rashford “quit on Manchester United” and has branded the England international’s attitude a “disgrace”. A product of the Red Devils’ famed academy system spent time on loan at Aston Villa last season, having slipped out of favour under Ruben Amorim, before linking up with La Liga giants Barcelona for the 2025-26 campaign.

  4. De Zerbi issues threat to Greenwood & Marseille after PSG win

    Roberto De Zerbi has threatened Mason Greenwood and his Marseille squad after seeing them claim a notable Classique victory over arch-rivals Paris Saint-Germain. A battling win in a rearranged fixture at Stade Velodrome underlined the title credentials of De Zerbi’s side, but he has pointed out that said win will count for little if it does not set a standard for the rest of the season.

  5. 'A disaster!' - Messi's father 'basically runs' Inter Miami

    Former Leeds United and MLS star Mateusz Klich claims Inter Miami have become a “disaster” for players and coaching staff as Lionel Messi’s father "basically runs the club” and nothing happens at Chase Stadium without the “consent” of talismanic figures. Argentine GOAT Messi has been in the United States since bidding farewell to Paris Saint-Germain in 2023.